We go over everything you need to know about getting your first IN driver’s license, ID card, license renewals, and driver improvement training.
Applying for a new Indiana driver's license requires that you visit a BMV office and successfully pass a vision and driver test. Various documents will be required with your visit along with the mandatory licensing fee. If you have never had a license previously, you must first get a learner's permit and keep it in good standing for a set amount of time before you are eligible to apply for the real driver's license.
Keep reading to figure out how you can get your first IN driver's license from the Indiana BMV.
Note: Before you apply for your driver's license, you must first receive your learner's permit. Check out our Driver's Prep section for further instructions.
Just Moved to Indiana?
If you have recently moved to Indiana with a valid driver's license in a previous state, you have a 60-day period to switch over.
Take a look at the steps below before applying for your full IN driver's license. Some other things you may have to do first include:
- Surrendering the license of your previous state.
- Giving up a driver's license in a different country is not necessary.
- Submitting a duplicate of your driving record.
- OR
- Sending in a verification letter.
The driving test can be waived for the following reasons:
- You are 18 or older and possess a valid driver's license or a license that expired less than three years ago.
- OR
- You are not yet 18 but older than 16 and a half and have had a driver's license from a different state for at least 180 days.
You must apply for a driver's permit under the following circumstances:
- You are not yet 18 and have not had a driver's license issued by another state for 180 or more days.
- OR
- You've never had a drivers license before (from any state).
Indiana Driver's License Types
At the Indiana BMV, you will find the following licenses being offered:
- A full driver's license.
- A learners permit, which is a requirement towards attaining the full driver's license.
- A probationary driver's license, which is a driver's license given to those under the age of 18.
- A commercial driver's license (CDL).
- A motorcycle license.
Requirements to Apply for Driver's License
To qualify for applying for an IN driver's license, you have to:
- Hold a learner's permit for 180 or more days.
- Be at least 16 and 3/4 years old, OR 16 and a half with completion of driver's ed.
AND
- Complete 50 hours of driving practice under adult supervision, which includes 10 after-dark hours.
- Log of Supervised Driving Practice must be filled out.
Check out the Indiana BMV calendar to see if you meet the eligibility requirements.
Applying for the IN Driver's License
When you meet the requirements for applying for a full driver's license, take a trip to your closest Indiana BMV office to:
- Submit:
- Proof of identity. (U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, or a foreign passport with visa and 1-94 document printed out)
- Proof of Social Security Number (SSN) (Can be found on Social Security card, W-2 form, or check stubs.)
- Proof of valid U.S. citizenship (Proof may be U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, or a foreign passport with visa and printed out 1-94 document.)
- Proof of being an Indiana resident. (You will need to bring two of the following documents: a utility bill from the past few months, recent bank statement, or IN voter registration card.)
- Pass the following tests:
- Driving skills test (can be waived if taken with driver's ed course.)
- Vision test.
- Turn in your signed and completed Log of Supervised Driving.
- Pay the mandatory fee:
- Under 75 years old: $17.50 (valid six years).
- Between 75 and 84 years old: $11 (valid three years).
- 85+ years old: $7 (valid two years).
To see a complete list of acceptable documents, kindly refer to the IN BMV website.
NOTE: You will need to pass a written driving test in order to get your learner's permit.
Driving Skills Test
In order to take your official road test, you will need to schedule an appointment. You should arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled time. You need to bring your own safe and registered vehicle.
Your ability to practice safe driving on public roads will be tested. Here is a list of possible maneuvers you may have to do:
- Backing up.
- Handling intersection situations.
- Parallel parking.
- Using the blinker properly.
Failing the road test means there will be a 14-day waiting period until you are able to retake it. Failure of the test three times means you must wait two months after your last try before scheduling another one.
For further details, please refer to the Indiana BMV website.
To maintain legal driving privileges in Indiana, you have to periodically renew your Indiana driver's license with the IN BMV. Here, you'll discover what you need to do in order to renew your Indiana driver's license both online and in person.
- For renewing your IN CDL, kindly refer to our Renew Your CDL in Indiana page.
- For renewing your ID card, kindly refer to our Identification Cards in Indiana page.
When to Renew Your Indiana Driver's License
When your birthday hits, your IN driver's license expires. Depending on your age, the number of years your license is valid for varies:- 75 and under: six years
- Between 75 and 84: three years
- 85+ years old: two years.
Renewal of your Indiana driver's license can be completed online or at the BMV, but not by mail. Your new Indiana driver's license will come in the mail within ten business days. NOTE: Those under the age of 18 will be given a probationary Indiana driver's license that must be renewed within 30 days after you turn 21. You may have different requirements if your license is currently:
- Valid.
- Suspended.
- Expired.
- Stolen, lost, or damaged.
Valid Driver's License
If your Indiana driver's license is currently valid, renewal can be completed within 1 year of expiration. NOTE: For non-U.S. citizens, renewal can be completed within 30 days of expiration. Expired Driver's License For a license that's been expired for:
- 180 days or less, you have to:
- Pay a late fee of five dollars.
- Pass the vision test (if you didn't take it when you were renewing the last time).
- Between 180 days and 3 years, you have to:
- Pay a late fee of five dollars.
- Pass the vision test.
- Pass the written driving test.
- Over 3 years, you have to:
- Pay a late fee of five dollars.
- Pass:
- A vision test.
- A written driving test.
- A road test.
NOTE: The five dollar fee must also be paid when renewing your probationary driver's license if it has been over 30 days since you've turned 21. Suspended Driver's License When your Indiana driver's license has been suspended, it must first be reinstated before renewal. For further details, please check out our Suspended License in Indiana page.
Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Driver's License
If your IN driver's license has been lost, stolen, or damaged, it can still be renewed so long as you have your driver's license number. You must not drive without holding a valid IN driver's license. Online Renewal for IN Driver's License For renewing your Indiana driver's license, you have to:- Have any license except a CDL.
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Be younger than 75 years old.
- Keep your name and address the same along with other personal details.
- Have done the renewal process in person the last time around.
- Maintain a driver's license than has not been expired for 180 or more days.
- Be renewing within the 1 year timeframe of expiration.
- Have zero restrictions or suspensions with your driver's license.
- Keep a photo on file at the IN BMV.
- Have under six points against your license. (For those under 21, you cannot have any points against your license.)
- Not be switching your Indiana driver's license to a SecureID.
When you don't qualify for an online renewal, you need to visit your local BMV to renew. Check out the "Renewal of IN Driver's License: In Person" section below. For renewing your IN BMV license online, please check out the myBMV website to create an account. You will be asked for your:
- Indiana driver's license number.
- Social Security number.
- Zip code.
After creating your account, log in and:
- Provide the following information:
- Full name.
- Birth date.
- Address.
- Social Security number.
- Pay your renewal fee. (Check out "IN Driver's License Renewal Fees" below.)
Renewal of IN Driver's License: In Person
If you do not qualify for renewing your IN driver's license online (Check "Online Renewal for IN Driver's License" above), you must visit your local BMV to do it in person. A renewal fee is required. (Check the "IN Driver's License Renewal Fees" subheading below.) When changing your driver's license to a SecureID, you have to bring:
- Proof of identity. The options below qualify:
- U.S. passport.
- Certificate of citizenship.
- U.S. birth certificate.
- Proof of Social Security number. The options below qualify:
- Social Security card.
- 1099 form.
- W-2 form.
- Proof of being a U.S. citizen or legal presence. The options below qualify:
- U.S. passport.
- Foreign passport with I-94 form or number.
- Two documents that verify your residency in Indiana. The options below qualify:
- Voter registration card.
- Recent utility bill.
- Recent bank statement.
All of the aforementioned documents have to be an original or a certified copy. Photocopies of any of the documents are not allowed. To see the entire list of acceptable documents, kindly check out the Indiana BMV website. For those who have over six points against their license — or any points for those under 21 — the following tests need to be taken and passed when renewing your IN driver's license:
- Vision test.
- Written driving test.
- Road driving test.
License Renewals: Military and Out-of-State
Members of Military, Spouses, and Dependents
For those who are on active duty and are stationed somewhere other than Indiana, an expired IN driver's license will stay valid for an extra 90 days after being discharged from military service. This rule is also in effect for spouses and independents who may be stationed out of state with you. For renewing your license while still on active duty (with no online eligibility), you may print a Military Extension Letter to always have with your military documents along with your expired Indiana driver's license while driving. Out-of-State Extensions and Renewals For those who are out of state for their Indiana driver's license renewal, you may:
- Do an online renewal if eligible. (Check the "Online Renewal for IN Driver's License" section above.)
- OR
- Ask for a 30-day extension. For this, you need to mail in a filled-out Request for Interim/Extension License (Form 54580) to the IN BMV address found on the top of the form.
Indiana Driver's License Renewal Fees Your IN driver's license renewal fee depends on how old you are and the length of renewal.
- Valid 2 years, if 85 or older: $7.
- Valid 3 years, between ages of 75-84: $11.
- Valid 6 years, under age of 75: $17.50
Acceptable Forms of Payment
Online payments to the BMV can be completed using:
- E-check.
- Visa or MasterCard credit and debit cards.
Acceptable forms of payment to the BMV in person include:
- Visa or MasterCard credit and debit cards.
- Cash.
- Check.
- Money order.
In Indiana, you can get a non-driver ID card for those people who do not desire or cannot get a driver's license. One should think about applying for an Indiana state ID card if you are a resident of Indiana without a driver's license, but you need ID to prove your date of birth, identity, or address.
Eligibility Requirements
The Indiana BMV issues ID cards called a "SecureID" to those people who don't want to have a license to drive.
If you happen to not bring the range of required documents, you are still eligible to try and get a non-SecureID for an acceptable form of ID at voting booths.
There is not an a certain age you must be to get an Indiana ID card — anyone can apply for one.
How to Apply for an IN Identification Card
To apply, you should visit the local BMV branch office where they handle applications for Indiana ID's and SecureID's. Applications may not be filled online, by phone, or through the mail. Those who are new to the application process or are non-citizens will need to apply for the SecureID.
The Indiana BMV will not take appointments for the original IN identification card application process. Upon arriving, you will have to wait in line, so click here to find out when it may be the best time to visit.
The application process for an Indiana ID card requires that you have proof of:
- Identity. Acceptable forms include:
- U.S. birth certificate.
- U.S. passport.
- Social Security number. Acceptable forms include:
- Social Security card.
- W-2 form.
- SSA 1099 or Non-SSA-1099 document.
- Citizenship or accepted legal status. Acceptable forms include:
- U.S. birth certificate that is an original or certified copy.
- For those born in Puerto Rico, you need to bring a birth certificate that was received on July 1st, 2010 or later.
- U.S. passport or U.S. passport card.
- Naturalization document from the U.S.
- Residency in Indiana. Two of the following forms are needed:
- A current insurance policy. (Can be auto, life, or premises insurance.)
- An Indiana title certificate.
- A printed utility bill. (Can be phone, electric, cable, or any other.)
- NOTE: Those under 18 who are not able to prove residency, you must bring a person who can:
- Sign a residency affidavit.
- Present a good-standing Indiana driver's license or ID.
- Show 1 form of proof of identity.
- Show 2 forms of proof of IN residency.
- Paying for the application fee. Check out the "Indiana State ID Card Fees" section below for details about the fee and how you may pay for it.
The Indiana BMV website gives out the whole list of accepted documents needed to prove identity, residency, and citizenship.
NOTE: The Indiana BMV will only take documents that are the originals or a certified copy. If you have a hard time collecting the correct documents, you should call the IN BMV for help in applying for your non-SecureID card.
The Indiana BMV will then give you an interim credential when you come in, and your IN identification card/SecureID card will come to you by mail in the timeframe of 10 business days.
Foreign Nationals
The IN identification card process of applying is the same for foreign nationals. The IN BMV requires that you bring original, specific documents to a close BMV office for applying for an IN SecureID card.
For further details regarding acceptable documents for foreign nationals, check out the IN BMV website.
Indiana State ID Card Fees
IN identification card fees at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles will be different based on age and voting eligibility.
- $11.50
- If you only need an ID card that states you have voting eligibility, it is free.
The IN BMV locations will take the following methods of transactions paid in person:
- Cash
- Visa or MasterCard credit and debit cards.
- Checks. Includes:
- Personal checks.
- Cashier's checks.
- Certified cashier's checks.
- Company checks.
- Money orders.
Online transactions can be paid with:
- E-check.
- Visa or MasterCard credit and debit cards.
Renewing an IN Identification Card or SecureID Card
An IN identification card stays valid for six years.
You might be able to renew an IN identification card either online or at the local BMV location. If you have already gotten your IN SecureID card, you won't need to bring all of the original documents when you decide to renew.
NOTE: You are allowed to renew your IN identification card within one year before expiration. Those with good-standing citizenship or legal status are allowed to renew their ID card within 30 days before it expires.
Renewing Your IN Identification Card Online
In order to renew your ID card online, you must meet these prerequisites:
- You're a U.S. citizen.
- You have not changed your name, address, or other personal information.
- Your identification card has not exceeded 180 days past expiration.
- Your renewal date is less than one year away.
- Your photo is on file with the BMV.
- Your driving record cannot have 3 or 9 restrictions.
- You are not changing from a non-SecureID to a SecureID.
After deciding if you are eligible, check out the BMV's online renewal form.
Here, you can expect to give fill out your:
- First and last name.
- Birth date.
- Your Indiana address.
- Social Security number.
Renewing in Person
When renewing in person at the BMV, you will need to sign up for an IN SecureID card.
For further instruction on the exact application process, please check out the "How to Apply for an IN Identification Card" subheading above.
If you can't find or have lost your IN identification card, you will need to bring proof of identity with you from the BMV list of accepted forms of proof of identity.
For details on the costs involved with renewing your IN identification card, kindly refer to the "Indiana State ID Card Fees" section from above.
ID's for Military and U.S. Veterans
U.S. Veteran Indicator
The IN BMV allows for a veteran indicator on the Indiana state identification card when first applying or when renewing. For this, you must visit your local BMV and present a proof of discharge or separation.
There is no cost for this service if you are a U.S. military veteran; however, you will need to pay a $10 fee for licenses that are not up for renewal.
Identification Card Renewal and Replacement for U.S. Military
When your IN identification card expires during your stationing out of Indiana, you might be able to renew it or replace it online. This rule is also true for the spouses and dependents of those in the military.
Online Renewal and Replacement
In order to complete your renewal or replacement online, you must not be changing your name or address, and you must have renewed in person last time you were up for renewal.
- Number one, you have to make a myBMV account.
- Here, you will be asked for your IN identification card number, your zip code, and your last 4 digits of SSN.
NOTE: You can also try to get a 30-day extension or interim credential. You just need to fill out a Request for Interim or Extension License (Form 54580) and then send it back to the address on the form.
In-Person Renewal and Replacement
When coming back to Indiana, you can head to the local BMV for a replacement or renewal. You must have the following things:
- Current Military ID. (Eliminates late fees)
- Proof of identity.
- The BMV has an entire list of acceptable forms of proof of identity.
- Proof you have been discharged or post-deployment.
- The payment.
- Please check out the "Indiana State ID Card Fees" section from above.
NOTE: For those in the military, you have an extra 90 days that your ID card stays valid after you have been discharged. For those who are not eligible to complete the renewal process online, you can print out a Military Extension Letter to have with your Indiana state identification card that is past its expiration.
Replacing Your IN Identification or SecureID Card
Applying for a replacement IN identification card be either be done online or at the local BMV. For replacement of a non-SecureID without converting to a SecureID, you are required to show up in person.
Replacing Online
To meet the requirements for online ID card replacement, you should check out the myBMV website to confirm the following:
- You are a U.S. citizen.
- You are not changing your address, name, or other personal information.
- You do not have an expired identification card.
- You currently have a photo on file with the BMV.
- Your driving record does not contain 3 or 9 restrictions.
- You are not changing from a non-SecureID to a SecureID.
On the website, you will have to make a myBMV account.
Get ready to give your IN identification card number, your zip code, and the last four digits of your SSN.
Replacing in Person
For those who have a non-SecureID, you may apply in person at your local BMV. The BMV may recommend that you apply for a SecureID card instead.
For applying to replace your IN identification card, you will need to prove your identity from the BMV's list of OK'd forms along with all other documents needed in the aforementioned process of applying. Double check that you have brought originals or certified copies of the documents.
To find out how much all of this will cost you, please refer to the "Indiana State ID Card Fees" from above.
Changing Your Identification Card's Name and Address
Name Changes in Indiana
Your local BMV must be told of your changed name within 30 days after it is changed, and it must be done in person. Your ID card name cannot be changed by mail or by Internet.
NOTE: Your name change must first be completed with the Social Security Administration (SSA) because the BMV checks Social Security records.
For changing your name on an Indiana state identification card, visit your closest BMV and bring your old ID along with legal proof of your new name:
- Divorce certificate.
- Court order.
- Marriage certificate.
- Changed birth certificate (gender change).
- Your physician's signature on a statement indicating a gender change.
Address Changes in Indiana
You must notify the BMV of your address change within 30 days after you change it. This can be done both online or in person, depending on your preference. Address changes cannot take place by mail.
NOTE: Your change of address notification will be for the Indiana BMV records only. For replacing your ID card to reflect your new address, you will need to fill out a replacement application. In this case, please refer to the "Replacing Your IN Identification or SecureID Card" section above for details regarding replacements.
Online For changing your IN mailing address online, check out the Indiana state BMV change of address system located online. Change of legal residential address can only be completed at the BMV and must be done in person.The following information is required:
- First and last name.
- Birth date.
- IN residential address.
- SSN.
In Person To change your legal residential address in person at the BMV, you must have:
- A Social Security number.
- Two documents that prove you're an Indiana resident.
- Check out the IN BMV website for a list of documents that satisfy this requirement.
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